China's Women's Football Team Finishes Second in East Asian Cup

The Chinese women's national football team concluded the East Asian Cup as the second-place finisher. Their final match against Japan resulted in a scoreless draw on Wednesday. South Korea secured the tournament victory, having defeated Chinese Taipei with a score of 2-0.

China's journey in the tournament included a 2-2 draw against South Korea and a 4-2 victory over Chinese Taipei in their initial two matches. The game against Japan saw China generate several opportunities through counterattacks in the first half. Despite increasing pressure in the second half, they were unable to capitalize on promising chances. Japan also missed two significant opportunities during stoppage time, leading to the final stalemate.

The Chinese women's national team, often referred to as the "Steel Roses," is led by head coach Ante Milicic and features a mix of seasoned veterans and emerging young talents. Young striker Shao Ziqin made a notable impact, scoring three goals throughout the tournament and earning the title of top scorer.

Following the match against Japan, Milicic acknowledged the fair play and competitive spirit displayed by both teams. He highlighted the valuable experience gained by the young players, with 23 out of the 25-member squad participating in the tournament. Milicic, who began coaching in May 2024, expressed optimism about the team's progress, citing their positive mindset and attitude.

Team captain Wu Haiyan noted that the team is currently in a transitional phase, bridging the gap between the older and newer generations of players. The East Asian Cup is a round-robin tournament involving four teams, where each team plays the others once. The women's East Asian Cup was first held in 2005. Japan has the most wins, followed by North Korea and South Korea. The Chinese women's national team's best result has been finishing as runners-up three times.